The Awareness Center closed. We operated from April 30, 1999 - April 30, 2014. This site is being provided for educational & historical purposes.
We were the international Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault (JCASA); and were dedicated to ending sexual violence in Jewish communities globally. We did our best to operate as the make a wish foundation for Jewish survivors of sex crimes. In the past we offered a clearinghouse of information, resources, support and advocacy.

Thursday, September 17, 1987

Case of Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, PhD

Case of Dr. Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, PhD

(AKA: Mordecai Magence, Mordechai Magencey)

Washington University - St. Louis, MOWebster University - St. Louis, MO

The Awareness Center contacted the licensing board at the state of Missouri, and asked if Rabbi Magencey was in violation of the agreement made several years ago. On July 2, 2003 a response was sent to us from Pamela Groose, Executive Director - Missouri State Committee of Psychologists. The response is below:

"To teach Intro to Psychology would not require a license to practice psychology and the same would go for religious studies

Whether or not his prior problem with his Missouri Psychology license is a problem for him teaching at the universities would be a decision of the universities."

Rabbi/Dr. Mordecai Magencey is currently teaching at Webster University and at Washington University. He is a part-time rabbi at Covenent House, working with senior citizens. He is also a member of The Academy Council for Jewish Religion, California.

The state of Missouri and Mordecai Magencey, a psychotherapist in Chesterfield, signed a stipulation that strips Magencey of his license in Missouri and bans him from practicing in any state or foreign country.

Mordecai Magencey was the son a very prominent rabbi in St. Louis. His father, Rabbi Avraham Magence a very beloved, respected man who was the 'mohel' of St Louis for 35 years.

Mordecai MagenceyFaculty - Webster Universityhttp://www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/religion/staff.htmMordecai Magencey received his Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology from Washington University in 1979 and his Rabbinic Ordination in 1968 from Yeshiva Kfar Chasidim, Israel. Mordy brings a unique combination of skills with people, communication, counseling and leadership to the department. As Rabbi at Covenant House Chapel, he works closely with his community. His passions include Mickey Mouse? you'll have to ask him about that one.

Rabbi Magence will be buried in Israel. Condolences may be extended to Rabbi Mordecai and Beverly Magencey, 273 Hewlett, St. Louis, MO 63141.

Rabbi Magence was a wonderful friend and supporter of Solomon Schechter Day School. He served on our Board, taught our students, and always sang the school's praises from his bimah. We will never forget his message to our Middle School students about the meaning of Pesach. Of all things to focus on he taught the midrash of the angels crying because the Egyptians- our enemies- were drowning in the Red Sea. Rabbi Magence explained, as only he could, how we must treat all fellow human beings with love and compassion. On the back is an article from 2000 in the Riverfront Times to give a picture of Rabbi Magence, alav hashalom.

To perpetuate Rabbi Magence's memory at Solomon Schechter, please consider making a donation to the school for the purchase of sifre kodesh (holy books) for the Jennifer Soshnik Memorial Library. We will collect money for this purpose through September 26, that is, throughout the month of Elul, which is the month in which we seek Gd's mercy and favor.

Therapist Losing License on Sex AllegationsBy Mary E.CholletSt. Louis Post-Dispatch - September 17, 1987Missouri officials signed an agreement Wednesday revoking the license of a psychologist because of his sexual misconduct with his patients.

The state and Mordecai Magencey, a psychotherapist in Chesterfield, signed a stipulation that strips Magencey of his license in Missouri and bans him from practicing in any state or foreign country. Magencey did business as Behavioral Health Specialists.

The 24-page agreement spells out sexual relationships Magencey is alleged to have had with four women patients since April 1983. One patient was recovering from an incestuous relationship at the time.

The agreement must be approved by Paul M. Spinden, an administrative-hearing commissioner for the state. The Administrative Hearing Commission renders decisions on licensed professions, including psychologists.

Spinden said he expected to sign the agreement.

The Missouri attorney general's office brought the action against Magencey. An office spokesman said Wednesday that the case was the first of its kind in Missouri.

State licensing regulations bar sexual conduct between a therapist and patient.

The agreement also says that Magencey failed to renew his license on Jan. 31 and has been practicing without one since then.

The agreement takes effect Sept. 30 and heads off a four-day public hearing that had been set for this week before the commission.

Magencey could not be reached Wednesday. He previously has declined to comment. His attorney, C. John Pleban, declined to comment on the settlement.

The agreement is not technically an admission of guilt. Similar to a so-called Alford plea in a criminal case, it is an admission by Magencey that the state ''has sufficient evidence'' to convict him of the allegations.

Nevertheless, state officials say they are pleased with the disposition.

The agreement revokes Magencey's license and orders him to undergo evaluation by a state-approved psychologist by Oct. 30. He must pay for all counseling and testing.

It bans him from ''any counseling, guidance, psychotherapy or act which falls within the definition of the term psychology . . . whether a license is required for such acts or not,'' the agreement says.

He also will have to keep the state ''apprised at all times in writing'' of his whereabouts.

Under the agreement, Magencey will have three chances - after three years, six years and seven years - to appeal the revocation to the state committee of psychologists.

At those intervals, Magencey ''may appear before (the committee) and shall bear the burden of persuading (the committee) that he is capable of functioning as an ethical, responsible and competent professional psych ologist,'' the agreement says.

The state then may reject the appeal or tentatively grant it and put Magencey on probation.

If Magencey declines to appeal or fails to sway the committee within the seven years, the revocation will become permanent.

If the state finds that Magencey has violated the agreement, the state may cancel it and pursue other remedies.

Magencey still faces three civil malpractice suits in county circuit court and federal court. The suits were brought by former patients who claim that Magencey used intimate information gained during therapy to seduce them.

Two suits were filed by married couples. One was brought by a woman who says the therapy broke up her marriage.

Stephen R. Woodley, the attorney for one of the couples, called the tentative settlement good news. But he said he would pursue his claim. Woodley's clients claim they spent more than $35,000 on three years of therapy with Magencey.

A couple from west St. Louis County who spent more than $35,000 and three years in psychotherapy are accusing their therapist of seducing the wife and manipulating their individual analysis sessions to break up the couple's marriage.

The couple, Melissa and Michael Bearman, filed suit Tuesday in St. Louis County Circuit Court against Mordecai Magencey, a therapist who does business as Behavioral Health Specialists, 14377 Wood Lake Drive in Chesterfield.

The suit charges that Magencey ''negligently exploited the knowledge, power and unique position that (he) held'' as a therapist to interfere in the Bearmans' personal lives and to take advantage of Melissa Bearman sexually.

The suit says that Michael Bearman first went to Magencey in January 1982. Magencey diagnosed him as having agoraphobia - a fear of open spaces - and treated him for it, the suit says. Bearman's therapy continued until July 1986 and cost about $25,000, the suit says. He also lost about $10,500 in wages during those years because of the treatment, the suit claims without elaboration.

In June 1983, Melissa Bearman also became a patient of Magencey's, the suit says. The suit makes no mention of what she was being treated for. Her sessions lasted until June 1986 and cost about $10,000, the suit says.

The suit charges that Magencey ''used information'' gathered during Melissa Bearman's therapy sessions ''to physically and emotionally seduce'' her and that he ''willfully, wantonly and maliciously'' tried to alienate her from her husband.

With regard to Michael Bearman, the suit says Magencey ''negligently treated'' him for agoraphobia and manipulated his therapy sessions to alienate him from his wife.

The suit says both the Bearmans continue to suffer from a host of emotional problems.

A psychologist in west St. Louis County who is accused of seducing a patient faces sanctions at the state level, authorities say.

The Missouri attorney general's office has filed a complaint against the psychologist, Mordecai Magencey, with the state Administrative Hearing Commission.

The complaint says Magencey violated the state law that licenses psychologists by engaging in sex with a patient, Melissa Bearman, in January and March of last year. The complaint was filed Feb. 26.

Such a complaint is filed after the State Committee of Psychologists and the attorney general's office each investigate the allegations.

''We feel we have cause for discipline,'' said Mary Joe Smith, an assistant attorney general. ''We are real sensitive about this case, and we are treating it very seriously.''

Magencey could be censured or stripped of his license.

Magencey operates under the business name Behavioral Health Specialists in the Creve Coeur area. He no longer practices in an office on Wood Lake Drive in Chesterfield, where the incident is said to have occurred.

Bearman and her husband, Michael, were patients of Magencey for about six years.

They sued earlier this week in St. Louis County Circuit Court, claiming that Magencey had seduced Melissa Bearman while she was in therapy. The suit charges incompetence, assault, battery, professional misconduct and exploitation of the therapist-patient relationship. The suit claims also that Magencey tried to turn the couple against each other.

The Bearmans say they paid Magencey more than $35,000.

Through their attorney, they declined to be interviewed. Magencey did not return a reporter's phone calls.

Authorities believe the complaint is the first of its type to reach the state level in Missouri. They said it was hard to track how many such incidents occur because they rarely are reported.

''There's no question that there is a lot going unreported,'' said Dr. Sidney Kasper, chairman of the ethics committee of the Missouri Psychological Association.

He said some patients had mixed feelings about reporting a therapist. They say they want to make sure no one else is victimized, but they don't want to expose him or her publicly.

''Unfortunately, in that case, there's nothing that can be done,'' Kasper said.

Therapy has few ground rules, but a ban on sexual contact is one of them, authorities said. Some states - but not Missouri - have explicit laws against it.

''Sex should never be part of a therapeutic relationship with a psychologist,'' said Dr. Dory Hollander, president of the state association. ''It's unethical, it's immoral and it's illegal.''

A married couple from Macoupin County, Ill., filed suit Tuesday against a psychologist in west St. Louis County claiming that the therapist was sexually intimate with the woman.

The suit is the second filed this month against Mordecai Magencey that alleges unprofessional conduct with patients. The latest was filed in U.S. District Court at St. Louis.

The wife and husband charge in the suit that Magencey seduced the woman - identified only as J.E.B. - while she was undergoing psychotherapy and psychoanalysis from September 1985 to March 1987.

The suit claims that Magencey ''kissed, fondled, petted, hugged and caressed'' parts of the woman's body during therapy sessions. The suit accuses Magencey of using information elicited from the woman during therapy to seduce her.

It also accuses him of failing to keep records on the woman and of failing to test or evaluate her during the period when she was in therapy.

Magencey's actions caused the woman's emotional condition to deteriorate and strained her relationship with her husband, the suit says. Her husband - identified only as T.R.B. - is also claiming that Magencey's harmful actions cost him the ''support and love'' of his wife.

Reached at his office, Magencey declined to comment on the case. He does business as Behavioral Health Specialists in the Creve Coeur area.

Magencey's attorney, C. John Pleban, declined to comment Tuesday; he said he had yet to see a copy of the suit.

But Pleban said Magencey denies the allegations contained in a suit filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court earlier this month by a couple from West County.

That suit accuses Magencey of seducing Melissa Bearman and of trying to alienate her from her husband, Michael, who was also a patient of Magencey's.

Magencey is also facing sanctions at the state level. The Missouri attorney general's office has filed a complaint against him with the state Administrative Hearing Commission.

The state complaint alleges that Magencey violated state licensing laws by engaging in sex with Melissa Bearman in January and March of last year.

A third area resident has filed suit against a psychologist in west St. Louis County, alleging that the psychologist took advantage of her sexually during therapy.

Trauma resulting from the therapy sessions broke up the woman's marriage, the suit says.

The woman filed the civil suit Thursday in St. Louis County Circuit Court against Mordecai Magencey, a licensed psychologist who does business in the Creve Coeur area as Behavioral Health Specialists.

The state of Missouri also has a complaint pending against Magencey and is seeking to take away his license. The complaint was filed by the attorney general's office on behalf of the state Committee of Psychologists. The complaint accuses Magencey of unethical sexual conduct with several patients.

The woman's suit is similar to two other suits filed in May by former patients of Magencey.

The latest suit says that the plaintiff was Magencey's patient from January 1980 through September 1985. She charges that Magencey kept no therapy records on her, did little or no diagnostic testing for her problems and did not treat her appropriately.

The suit accuses Magencey of assault and battery. The suit says he ''negligently exploited the knowledge, power and unique position'' of therapist in the plaintiff's life and ''manipulated'' the therapy sessions to kiss, fondle, pet, hug, caress and engage in sex with the plaintiff.

The suit says the experience cost the plaintiff her marriage and about $30,000 in medical bills. The suit seeks unspecified damages.

The suits in May were filed by two married couples. The first was filed in County Circuit Court by a husband and wife who both had been patients of Magencey. The second was filed in U.S. District Court by a couple from Macoupin County, Ill.

Both couples accuse Magencey of seducing the wives and straining the couples' marriages.

The state is charging that Magency took advantage sexually of four patients, including one of the plaintiffs who filed suit previously. The most recent plaintiff and the couple from Macoupin County are not among the patients cited in the complaint.

The state says one patient was an incest victim, whom Magencey is alleged to have seduced in April 1983. Another was a woman who had been in therapy with Magencey for 18 months, the state said.

Magencey ''informed this female client that kissing and 'light touching' between her and (him) during their treatment sessions would help her overcome her problems related with intimacy,'' the complaint says. Magencey then began sexual contact with the patient, the complaint says.

The complaint cites many state regulations and ethical standards barring exploitation, sexual harassment and sexual intimacy with patients.

The complaint says Magencey's conduct with the patients ''constitutes misconduct, unethical conduct and violates the professional trust and confidence that the client placed in him as a psychologist.''

A hearing on the complaint before the Administrative Hearing Commission is set for Aug. 12.

Magencey has declined to comment on the allegations. His attorney, C. John Pleban, said Friday that he was unaware of the latest suit. But he said Magencey ''denies the allegations and, when all is said and done, expects to be fully exonerated.''

I received your telephone message regarding Mordecai Magencey. I attempted to return your call but was not able to get through in your phone system. I did go to the web site for the awareness center. I was uncertain if you were directing me there for information regarding Magencey or just for informational purposes.

Whether or not he needs a license to teach at a university will depend upon what he is teaching, when hired, type of programs, etc. If you have that information I would appreicate you sharing it with my office as well as any information you might have.

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Sorry about the probems with the phone system.

Below is some of the information we have on Rabbi Mordecai Magencey. From what we have learned we feel that Rabbi Mordecai Magencey may be in breach of the agreement with the Administrative Hearing Commission.

According to what we have found, the agreement "bans him from "any counseling, guidance, psychotherapy or act which falls within the definition of the term psychology. . .whether a license is required for such acts or not," the agreement says.

The Awareness Center feels that pastoral work at a nursing home and teaching a Psychology course may be a specific breach of this agreement.

You can find more infomration about him at: Case of Rabbi/Psychologist Mordecai Magencey http://www.theawarenesscenter.org/Magencey_Mordechai.html

http://www.wustl.edu/scripts/phone

name: Magencey, Mordecai

email: Unavilable

phone: (314) 878-2999

Address: Campus Box 1064

Department: University College - Inst and res

Title: Adjuct instructor

"University College Summer 2003 Class Schedule

http://www.webster.edu/depts/artsci/religion/staff.htm

UO9 100 31 Intro Psychology 3 cr Tues/Thurs 6p-8:45p Magencey

Webster University

Mordecai Magencey

Adjuct Faculty

Webster Groves Main Campus (WEBG)

magencey@websster.edu

314-968-7135

http://acadinfo.wustl.edu/ucollege/Course_Search.aspx

Mordecai Magencey recieved his Ph.D. in Social work and Psychology from Washington University in 1979 and his Rabbinic Ordination in 1968 from Yeshiva Kfar Chasidim, Israel. Mordy brings a unique combination of skills with people, communication, conseling and leaderhip to the department. As Rabbi at Covenant House Chapel, he works closely with his community. His passions include Mickey Mouse? you'll have to ask hinm about that one.

(KSDK) -- The Survivor's Network for Those Abused by Priests is calling on two local universities to suspend a rabbi who is teaching psychology and religion courses.

SNAP held a news conference at Washington University on Monday. The group says Rabbi Mordecai Magencey is teaching courses there and at Webster University. SNAP claims his role as teacher violates an agreement he signed in 1987 to give up his psychologists license.

At the time, he was accused of sexually abusing four adult women who came to him for counseling.

"His method of operation has been to focus on women who are hurting, who are vulnerable, who are in grief, who are in crisis, and to gradually blur the boundary and to gradually sexualize what was intended to be a relationship of trust and therapy," said David Clohessy of SNAP.

In a statement, officials at Washington University say Magencey is a part time, adjunct instructor at the university's University College, and he is currently teaching "Psychology and Religion" this semester.

The University says any issues concerning an agreement between Magency and the attorney general's office concerning the status of his license are matters that must be resolved between those two parties.

Webster University tells NewsChannel 5 Rabbi Mordecai Magencey is a part time instructor teaching two courses, and that the university has referred the allegations to the Missouri attorney general's office.

David Clohessy, national director of SNAP, adresses the mediaMonday afternoon at the corner of Skinker and Forsyth boulevards.

A professor's place as a teacher was questioned Monday at WashingtonUniversity.

Mordecai Magencey is a rabbi and former psychologist who teachesat Washington University and Webster University.

Monday afternoon, protesters and clergy molestation victims heldsigns and asked the two universities to fire the rabbi, who losthis psychology license in the late 1980s for sexually exploitingfour of the women he counseled.

The protest included only a handful of members of SNAP (SurvivorsNetwork of those Abused by Priests). In fact, it brought outmore members of the media than protesters.

Magencey served as a psychotherapist in Chesterfield. In 1987,the state and Magencey signed a stipulation that stripped himof his license in Missouri and banned him from practicing inany state or foreign country.

Magencey said he was not aware of the protest until the day itoccurred. He said the allegations that teaching violates hisagreement is "absolutely false."

He said the conditions of the agreement restricted him from practicingas a psychologist.

"There was never any restriction with teaching," Magencey said.

Rather, the restrictions forbade him from identifying himselfas a psychologist. He claims not to have violated that restriction.

Magencey has been teaching at both universities during the pastyear.

Magencey teaches two courses at Webster University in the religiousstudies department as a part-time adjunct instructor. He hasbeen teaching at Webster since 1998.

Webster University said in a statement: "It has been allegedthat Mr. Magencey has thereby violated a 1987 plea agreementwith the State of Missouri. We have referred this allegationto the Missouri Attorney General's office, which we believe isthe proper agency to investigate this matter."

In a similar statement, Washington University officials said:"Any issues concerning an agreement between Magencey and theattorney general's office concerning the status of his licenseare matters that must be resolved between Magencey and that office."

Magencey has been teaching religion and psychology courses atWashington University as a part-time adjunct instructor sincespring 2003. He is an instructor at Washington University's UniversityCollege.

David Clohessy, national director of SNAP, said if Magencey'steaching position does not violate the agreement with the state,it at least violates the spirit of the agreement.

Although SNAP is dedicated to the survivors of those victimizedspecifically by priests, the group helps others who have beensexually traumatized, Clohessy said.

"We're a support group, and we want to help anybody," he said.

Clohessy said he did not know if the universities knew of Magencey'sloss of his psychology license when they hired him.

"Whether they checked (his records) or not, now is the righttime," Magencey said.

Barbara Dorris, a member of SNAP, was at the protest.

"As a rabbi and as a teacher, he has instant credibility," shesaid. "We feel (Magencey's teaching position) is extremely inappropriate."

Clohessy and other members of SNAP at the protest asked universityofficials to fire Magencey.

The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is demandingthat Webster University fire an adjunct instructor in the religiousstudies department whose psychology license was suspended inthe 1980s due to allegations of sexual relationships with femaleclients.

Mordecai Magencey, who teaches "Psychology of Religion" and "Christianity:From Jewish Sect to World Religion," signed an agreement withthe State Committee of Psychologists in 1987 stipulating thathis license would be suspended for three years, at which timehe could appeal for reinstatement.

In the agreement, Magencey did not admit any guilt. It was notclear at press time if he ever appealed to have his license reinstated.

"I can say that teaching at Webster and Washington universitiesis NOT a violation of any agreement with a state board," Magenceywrote in a statement to The Journal.

SNAP alleges that by teaching, Magencey is in violation of theagreement. The agreement states that Magencey "shall not engagein any counseling, guidance, psychotherapy or act which fallswithin the definition of the term psychology...whether a licenseis required for such acts or not."

David Wilson, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, saidhe first found out about the allegations of sexual misconductand the suspended license a few weeks ago, though he would notsay who brought the matter to his attention.

"I'm the one who referred this matter to the attorney general'soffice," Wilson said.

Wilson is awaiting a determination from the state as to whetheror not teaching violates the agreement.

"I don't know (whether it violates the agreement), and I'm reallynot in a position to know," Wilson said.

SNAP held a press conference March 22 at Washington University,where Magencey also teaches, to ask that the universities firehim. David Clohessy, the national director of SNAP, said thatalthough his group doesn't know of any recent allegations ofabuse, those who abuse vulnerable members of society usuallydon't stop.

"We are concerned that Mordecai Magencey is still around vulnerableteens," Clohessy said.

According to Wilson, Magencey has taught at Webster since January1998. He is scheduled to teach "World Religions" and "Introductionto Judaism" in the fall.

Statement by Mordecai Magencey"For over 10 years I was a successful practicing psychologistwhose practice consisted of insight oriented psychotherapy withadults. Before that I was a successful rabbi whoserved a young,thriving local congregation for years but who yearned to followmy first calling as a psychotherapist.

Seventeen years ago I was responsible for actions were inappropriateand hurtful to others. They were hurtful to those in my careand their shockwaves were hurtful to members of my immediatefamily including my children. My errors of judgment were inexcusableand I sincerely regret those errors to this day.

I have also paid dearly for them. I lost my license. The StateCommittee of Psychologists (SCOP) suspended it. I lost my practice.I lost my family. My former wife understandably chose not tocontinue our marriage and I lost my four children who remainestranged from me.

I was determined however to do serious soul searching and repentancefor my actions. I spent eight years in psychotherapy to dealwith the problems that led to my behavior. I scrupulously followedthe guidelines of SCOP for the years that my license was underreview and then some. I deliberately chose not continue as apsychotherapist even though I could have under a title otherthan psychologist. I have never violated the smallest part ofany agreement with SCOP and this includes my teaching at Websterand Washington universities.

I cannot undo the wrongs that I've done in my life and I can'tchange the hurt that I've caused others. I understand that thereare individuals whose hurt and anger will never be quenched.However, I have sought to do the serious work of repair and repentanceand atonement. The great religions of the world still offer hopeof redemption for even the lowliest sinners.

I have chosen to teach ... religious studies and psychology . . .and what I've learned from my own human frailties.

I want to thank the chair of the religious studies department,Dr. Dennis Klass for his continued support of me since I beganteaching at Webster. I told him of my past when I first appliedfor a teaching position and he's been a stalwart support sincethat time. "

I wanted to let you know that The
Awareness Center supports the efforts of SNAP, requesting that Webster
University let Rabbi Magencey go.

The Awareness Center is The Jewish
Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault. Please take time out to visit
our web page where we have listed the old articles regarding Rabbi
Magencey. You may be interested in reviewing the documents for
yourself:

The Awareness Center contacted the
licensing board at the state of Missouri, and asked if Rabbi Magencey
was in violation of the agreement made years ago. On July 2, 2003 a
response was sent to us from Pamela Groose, Executive Director -
Missouri State Committee of Psychologists.

The response is : "To teach Intro to
Psychology would not require a license to practice psychology and the
same would go for religious studies. Whether or not his prior problem
with his Missouri Psychology license is a problem for him teaching at
the universities would be a decision of the universities."

Magencey is teaching at Webster
University and Washington University. He is a part-time rabbi at
Covenant House, working with senior citizens.

The state and Magencey, a
psychotherapist in Chesterfield, signed a stipulation that strips
Magencey of his license in Missouri and bans him from practicing in any
state or foreign country.

Magencey is the son a prominent rabbi in
St. Louis. His Father, Rabbi Avraham Magencey a beloved, respected man
was the 'mohel' of St. Louis for years.

The Survivors’ Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is
determined to eliminate a rabbi from Washington University’s faculty.
Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, a psychology and religious studies instructor
at both Washington University and Webster University, was accused of
seducing patients while working as a psychotherapist in the 1980s.

The complaints filed against Magencey seventeen years ago claimed
that he broke a state law by having sexual relationships with four women
while providing them with therapy services.

SNAP’s involvement in the situation began when one of the victims
informed them that Magencey was affiliated with Webster and the
University and that his name had been appearing in the schools’ course
listings. SNAP has taken the position that teaching psychology courses
is a violation of the agreement he signed in 1987 when his license to
practice psychology was revoked.

Magencey taught several courses at Washington University in the
spring and summer of 2003 and is currently teaching Psychology and
Religion through University College.

According to Barbara Dorris, a local director for SNAP, the network’s
mission encompasses the punition not just of priests but also of all
religious authority figures, despite what its name may suggest,

“We support people who have been abused by clergy-all clergy-not just
priests,” said Dorris. “We will investigate anything in the support of
survivors.”

According to Dorris, SNAP’s determination to have Magencey removed
from the faculties of both universities is partially an effort to
support his victims.

“There were numerous victims abused by this man,” she said. “He was exploiting the patients and the patients’ families.”

Although the alleged actions did not occur in Magencey’s capacity as a
rabbi, Dorris feels that SNAP’s involvement is imperative.

“Our concern is that [while] teaching, he’s around vulnerable
people,” she said. “Many girls living away from home for the first time
are seventeen to eighteen years of age, and when they need to talk to
someone, they go to someone they can trust. That person is often a
rabbi. This allows the pattern [of abuse] to repeat itself.”

In a written statement to the Webster University Journal, Magencey
insisted that his role as an instructor did not violate the agreement he
made when the State Committee of Psychologists (SCOP) suspended his
license.

“I scrupulously followed the guidelines of SCOP for the years that my
license was under review and then some,” he stated. “I have never
violated the smallest part of any agreement with SCOP, and this includes
my teaching at Webster and Washington universities.”

Looking back to what transpired seventeen years ago, Magencey
expressed regret, adding, “My errors of judgment were inexcusable and I
sincerely regret those errors to this day.”Magencey also revealed in his statement to Webster that he had
undergone psychotherapy in order to “deal with the problems that led to
[his] behavior.”

Susan Killenberg McGinn, director of University Communications,
issued a statement saying that Magencey is a part-time, adjunct
instructor at University College and that any issues concerning the
status of Magencey’s license must be resolved between Magencey and the
attorney general’s office.Dorris said that SNAP has not been contacted by Webster or the
University regarding any action they may be taking against Magencey.

According to Dorris, this case serves as a reminder that sexual abuse is often impossible to predict.

“Most people want to believe that a molester is a dirty man hiding in
the bushes,” she said. “But often the case is that they’ve charming and
charismatic. They may do wonderful things. They may help people. They
may counsel hundreds of women, but if one of those women is in trouble,
we feel that is one too many.”

I wanted to take this time to introduce myself to you. My name is Vicki Polin and I am the executive director of The Awareness Center (the Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault).

I am writing to you at this time to make sure you are aware of the controversy that surrounds Rabbi Mordecai Magencey, who is listed as a member of your council. According to your web page your Academy Council is composed of highly accomplished Rabbis, cantors, educators and lay leaders <http://ajrca.org/community/academy_council.shtml>. I do not feel that Rabbi Magencey falls into any of those categories.

Please take time out to visit our web page where we have listed the old articles regarding Rabbi Magencey. You may be interested in reviewing the documents for yourself:

Case of Rabbi/Psychologist Mordecai Magencey

The Awareness Center contacted the licensing board at the state of Missouri, and asked if Rabbi Magencey was in violation of the agreement made years ago. On July 2, 2003 a response was sent to us from Pamela Groose, Executive Director - Missouri State Committee of Psychologists.

The response is : "To teach Intro to Psychology would not require a license to practice psychology and the same would go for religious studies. Whether or not his prior problem with his Missouri Psychology license is a problem for him teaching at the universities would be a decision of the universities."

The state and Magencey, who was a psychotherapist in Chesterfield, Missouri, signed a stipulation that strips Magencey of his license in Missouri and banned him from practicing in any state or foreign country.

The 24-page agreement spelled out the sexual relationships Magencey allegedly to had with four female patients. The Missouri attorney general's office brought the action against Magencey. An office spokesman said Wednesday that the case was the first of its kind in Missouri. The State licensing regulations bar sexual conduct between a therapist and patient.

The Awareness Center requests that you review the information on our web page, and ask that you remove Rabbi Mordecai Magencey as a member of your council.

Academy For Jewish Religion, California CouncilThe Academy Council is composed of highly accomplished Rabbis, cantors, educators and lay leaders who have made significant contributions to the Jewish community. Each of them represents a facet of Jewish knowledge, leadership and commitment to the Jewish world that adds to our body of advice and support. The administration and board seek the Academy Council's advice particularly with regard to problem solving, program design and curriculum development. The Council also facilitates the Academy's partnering with diverse elements of the Jewish community in such areas as student recruitment, faculty expansion, program offerings, internships and public relations.

To: The Academy for Jewish Religion, CaliforniaThe Awareness Center's Daily Newsletter - April 11, 2004Dear Members of the Academy Council:

I am writing to you about your inclusion of Mordecai Magencey in your Council of otherwise respected members of the Jewish community. I am an attorney in Stamford, Connecticut. For several years I served as the Court Advocate for the local Sexual Assault Crisis & Education Center and am well versed in matters of sexual assault. I am also currently on the Advisory Board for the Awareness Center.

Please make no mistake about it- the actions of Rabbi Magencey, albeit some 17 years ago, amount to sexual assault. He was in a position of power and control when he violated not only the canons of his profession as a therapist but he also desecrated his awesome position as a Rabbi! Those whose trust he destroyed, in body and in spirit, came to him because they were already feeling vulnerable. He capitalized on that vulnerability for his own pleasure.

I do not think that Rabbi Magencey should be stripped of all ability to earn a living. However, placing him in a position of honor flies in the face of religious integrity and frankly places into question the principles of the other members of the Council.

Rabbi Magencey has apologized for his offenses and that is laudable but it does not mean that he should be pardoned to the point of wiping the slate clean. It may seem to some of you that enough time has passed since his last known transgression and he should now be absolved and permitted back into our Jewish community as a respected leader. Do not forget that the scars he has caused by his actions to those vulnerable individuals will NEVER go away. They can move on, they can overcome, but their bodies and their souls will never allow them to forget. Neither should we.

Academy For Jewish Religion, California CouncilThe Academy Council is composed of highly accomplished Rabbis, cantors, educators and lay leaders who have made significant contributions to the Jewish community. Each of them represents a facet of Jewish knowledge, leadership and commitment to the Jewish world that adds to our body of advice and support. The administration and board seek the Academy Council's advice particularly with regard to problem solving, program design and curriculum development. The Council also facilitates the Academy's partnering with diverse elements of the Jewish community in such areas as student recruitment, faculty expansion, program offerings, internships and public relations.AJR | CA - Academy for Jewish Religion, California Community and Leadershiphttp://ajrca.org/community/academy_council.shtml

The state of Missouri and Rabbi Mordecai Magencey,
who was a psychotherapist in Chesterfield, signed a stipulation that
strips Magencey of his license and bans him from practicing in any state
or foreign country.

CALL TO ACTION: Everyone should write a letter to Attorney
General Jay Nixon of Missouri, asking why "Mordy" is allowed to
continue to teach at Washinton University and Webster University. Doing
so is in violation of the agreement he signed with the state. He should
NOT be involved in psychology in any form.

Below is the courses Magencey has been recently teaching at Washington University.

FAIR USE NOTICESome of the information on The Awareness Center's web pages may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.

We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/us code/17/107.shtml . If you wish to use copyrighted material from this update for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

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Survivors ARE Heroes!

The Awareness Center believes ALL survivors of sex crimes should be given yellow ribbons to wear proudly.

Survivors of sexual violence (as adults and/or as a child) are just as deserving of a yellow ribbon as the men and women of our armed forces, who have been held captive as hostages or prisoners of war.

Survivors of sexual violence have been forced to learn how to survive, being held captive not by foreigners, but mostly by their own family members, teachers, camp counselors, coaches babysitters, rabbis, cantors or other trusted authority figures.

For these reasons ALL survivors of sexual violence should be seen as heroes!